Friction shock-absorbing mechanism



Mal. 13, 1923. 1. F. ocoNNoR. y U

FRICTION SHOCKv ABSORBING MECHANISNI..

FILED MAYSM 1921 Tfatented lidar. i3, 1923.

entre stares y y :intatti retratar ortica.

JOHN F. OCONNOR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WILLIAM H. MINER, OF

\ CHAZY, NEW YORK.

IRICTION SHOCK-ABSORBING MECHANISM.

Application filed May 31,

This invention relates to improvements in friction shock absorbing mechanisms.

One object of the invention is to provide a friction shock absorbing mechanism especially adapted for railway draft riggings, and wherein are obtained high capacity, certain release, a smooth, easy and graduatedaction, relatively small pressure per unit of area on the co-operating friction elements,

and a relatively small ultimate or peak loadk transmitted to the car underframe or other vertical transverse sectional view corre` spending substantially to the line-2 2 of Fig. l. Fig is a longitudinal vertical sectional view corresponding substantially to the section line 3 3 of Fig. 2. In Fig. 3, parts r. are broken away in order to better accommodate the view on the sheet. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective of one of the stationay friction `plates employed in my improvements. And Fig. v5 is a broken longitudinal sectional View similar to Fig. 1, illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

Referring first to the construction illustrated in Figs.- 1 to 4, inclusive, 10-10 de- Anote channel draft sills of a car underframe,

to the inner faces of which are secured front-fV structure in which the mechanism is mount- 1921. Serial No. 473,766.

vmeans of a hooded `Vcast-.yoke 1..-1.andmaicoulw pier key 15. The yoke and parts therewith- 1n are supported in operative position by a detachable saddle plate 1G.

The improved shock absorbing mechanism as shown, comprises, broadly, a column-loadsustaining member, shell, or chambered follower Av; twin spring resistances B-B; a spring follower C; a front follower D; a series of relatively stationary friction plates ll-l*l; a series of relatively movable friction plates F; combinedv wedging and anti-.

friction rollers G-G; and retainer bolts H-H. v

The member A, as shown, is of hollow box-like form at its outer or forward end,

and is provided with upper and lower horizontal walls 17-17. side `walls 18-18 Land rear vertical integral wall 19, the latter functioning as a follower in conjunctioir with the stop lugs 12. Said side walls 18 are comparatively short, so as to leave the major portion of the sides of the member A open to permit of the insertion and removal of the spring follower C and twin springs B-l The formation of the member A, at its forward end, provides what may be vtermed a casing to accommodate the inter- `calated friction plates.

(ln the inner sides, the upper and lower walls 1T of the memberaLl near the center thereof` are provided with vertically aligned inwardly-extending front ribs y20-20, intermediate -ribs 21-21 and rear ribs 22-22. The ribs 21 and 22 are so formed as -to provide forwardly-facing shoulders and the ribs 20 are formed to provide rearwardlyfacing shoulders. The shoulders on' said ribs 20, 21 and 22 co-operate` with corresponding shoulders 120, 121 and 122, re-

n spectively, on the upper and lower thickened edges of-the stationary plates E. The latter are lmounted within.themember by first introducing them longitudinally to Oneside of the ribs and then shifting the plates FlVY laterally in position on the ribs. In this manner, theplates E are anchored or held against longitudinal movement with respect to the' member A, but are' freely responsive to laterally applied pressure.

The stationary pla-tes E are of substan ing face-26. Said wedging rearwardly,

inner side the follower D is preferably pro-` disposed group,

` ing` means.

tially I-cross section, as best shown in Fig. 2. This ,formation provides longitudinally extending guides or channels 23 on the opposite sides ofthe plates-E. lVithin said channels'or guides 23 a`'e accommodated the movable flat friction plates F,..as best shown `in Fig. The central friction plate E, as shown in Fig. 2,' heavier than those on either side thereof, so that it may be provided with longitudinally extending grooves 24 in the upper and lower edges thereof to accommodate the retainer bolts H. Thue intercalated series ofA stationary andgnovable friction plates E and F a-re preferably arranged in a single centrallyas shown in Fig. 1, thereby leaving spaces on each'side of the group to accommodate the lateral-pressure-creat- In normal condition of the parts, the movable ,plates F. extend outwardly of the member A andthe inner ends Yof said plates F engage with t-he spring follower C.

IThe front follower D is formed with pre-ferably integral wedge 'elements or extensions 25--25, one on each side thereof, each of said extensions having anv inclined wedgfaces 26 diverge as shown 1n ig. "1. 0n its vided with a hardened plate insert 27 yopposite the outer ends of the plates F, to thereavoid gouging or indentation of the follower D when the latter pushes the plates F. Normally, there is a slight space, pref-- erably one-half inch, between the co-operatin portions ofthe follower D and plates F. he s ring follower C, on each side, is provide with preferably integral forward extensions or arms 284-28, each of which is laterally enlarged at its forward end, as' indicated at 29, said enlargements 29 formii(ig ibearings for thel anti-friction elements which also engage the wedge faces 26 and.

the adjacent outer faces of the two ontermost plates F. AIn actual practice, the arms 28 will be made comparatively 'thin and of l. material capable of flexing small amounts without fracture or without danger of ex- (seeding the elastic limit, for the reason hereinafter given.

The retainer bol-ts H are anchored at their rear ends in suitable hollow bosses formed integrally -with the rear wall of the member A, and at their forward ends in suitable sockets provided in the follower l). 'lhc bolt-s H not only serve to retaiirall ol' the parts in proper assembled condition, but also may beutilizedto place the. springs under an initial compression so' as to automaticall)v compensate for wear as the mechanism continues in service.

The operation is follows, assuming an 4 inward or buling Amovement. of the. drawy bar.

The inward movement of the drawbar is considerably thicker or' forces the follower D simultanegusly in the same direction. As the follower D, w-ith'its wedge extensions 25, moves rearwardl or inwardly, the tendency is to wedge or force the two rollers G, inwardly from opposite sides of the group of intercalated friction elements. The bodily longitudinal, movelment of the rollers G relatively tothe plates is prevented lby the arms 28 of the spring follower C,t his resistance being a yielding one on account of the twin springs B. Due to the fact that each of the rollers G has three different points'of contact-with members that for-m, in effect, a triangulanclo- ,sure therefor, there would be 'a tendency for 80 the rollers G to slide or slip lengthwise of the plates F were. not means provided to overcome the same. Said means are found in the flexible arms 28, which are adapted to yieldlaterally, so that the rollers G may roll upon the inclined wedge facesV 26 and along the plates F, a-sindicated by :he arrows a-a Iin Fig. l. The tendenc of t-he lrollers G to rotate in the direct-ion inl-rated induces the free ends of the arms 2 8 tofleit 90 slightly inwardly toward the center of the mechanism.

The' inward movement of the-follower D continues, as above described, with gradual increase of the lateral-pressure on the friction plates until the follower D finally e'ngages the outer end' of the plates F; At this point -in the compression stroke, the desired lateral pressure will have bee-n created, the same being sistance .and the wedging angles.' At the" time the followerD engages Ithe outer ends of the .plates F, the spring follower C will have been displaced out of engagement with i the inner ends of the plates F. During the. 105V to the stationary vplates E, thus generating a great amount of friction and affording a high capacity. 110 During the release, the initialexpausion of the springs B forces the follower C outwardly, and the latte-r vin turn forces the rollers Gr in the same direction, and, Aconsequently, the follower D. Duringthisinitial 11,5 portion ofthe release action, the spring. lf ollower C is not in engagement with the pl aies F. and, hence, the resistance toA the release or decrease in wedging action of the mecha-4 nism's is at. a minimum. -After a. slight out- 120 ward movement oi" the follower C, it engages thc inner ends of the-plates F, and thereafter 'the plates F maybe readily forced outwardly to their normal full'release position.` l 125 Referring to the construction illustra-tedI in Fig. 5, the colimin-load-sustaining .'membor A. the stationary fi'ictionplates und the n iovablc friction plates F' are, or' may be, the sameas the other construclsb dependent upon the spring retion just described. The front follower D is formed similarly to the follower D eX- cept that the wedge extensions 125 thereof are provided with tivo wedge faces l26l26, The spring folli'iwer C is generally of the same forni. as 'the follower C, except that the resilient arms 128 are somewhat shorter than the arms 28. instead of employing a single roller on each side of the group of friction plates, l employ two rollers (lV-GV, each of which engages one of the wedge faces 126. flhe operation of the mechanism is the same as that of the other construction previously described.

i l have herein shown and described what l now consider the preferred manner of carrying out the invention, but the same is merely illustrative, andli contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

L ln a. .friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a column-load sustaining member; of a series of relatively longitudinally immovable friction plates mounted thereon but freely responsive to lateral pressure; a series of intercalated relatively longitudinally movable friction plates; a springreeistance; and means for crezuting lateral pressure on said intercalated plates including, n. longitudinally movable wedge havingr itswedge surface facing toward the frictif'inv plates, an anti-friction mllerengagingsaid surface and the sur; face of the nearest" friction plate, and a longitudinally movable bearing7 member engaging said roller on its side nearest the spring resistance. 2. ln a frictionshoclr absorbing mechanism, the combination with. a column-loadsustaining member; of a series 'of relatively longitudinally iininovable friction plates mounted thereon but freely responsive to lateral pressure; ,la series Vof intercalated relativ if lbngitudinally movable friction pla g ityspiiog resistance; and means for cre; agg i y,pressure on said intercalated plates includ me, a lofngitudlnally movable wedge having' its wedge surface facing'toward' the, friction plates, an anti-friction roller eng; said surface and thel surface of the nearest friction plate, and a longitudinallyl movable bearing member engagingf said roller on its inner side, said bearing member being laterally movable.

fin a friction slioclr absorbing mechanism, the combination with a column-loadsustaining' member; of series, of relatively longitudinally inmovable friction plates vmounted thereon but freely responsive to a` series .of intercalatedl relativeif lon dinally movable friction i a spring; i sintetico; and means for n lateral pressure on said intercalated including', a longitudinally"movable lateral pressure;

wedge having its wedge surface facing'toward the friction plates, an anti-friction roller bearing on said surface and the surface of the nearest friction plate, and a longitudinally movable relatively elongated laterally flexible1 bearing member-engaging said roller on the inner side thereof. l

fl. ln a. friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a column-loadsustaining member; of a series of relatively longitudinally immovable friction plates mounted thereon but freely responsive to lateral pressure; a series of intercalated relatively longitudinally movable lfriction plates; a spring resistance; and mea-nsfor creating lateral pressure on said intercalated plates including, a spring follower located between the inner ends of said plates and the spring resistance, an outer .longitudinally movable wedge-having its lwedge surface facing toward y,the friction plates, anI

.anti-frietionrollerv bearing on said surface and the surface of the nearest friction plate, and a forward extensin from said spring followerlhaving a bearing surface atthe outer end thereof engaging the inner side of said roller. i

5. ln a friction shock-absorbing mechanism, the combination iwitha column-loa/dsustainlng member; of a'useries of rela.- tively longitudinally immovable friction plates mounted thereon but freely responsive tolateral pressure; a series of intercalated relatively longitudinally movable fric-tion plates; a spring resistance; and means for creating lateral pressure on said lntercalated plates including, a spring follower-located between the innerv ends of'said plates and the spring resistance, an outer longltudinally movable wedge having its wedge surfacel facing' toward' the friction plates, an anti-friction roller bearing on said surface and the surface of the nearest friction plate, and effimerd extension from said spring 'follower having a bearing surface at the outer end thereof engaging the lnner ,side of said roller, said extension being laterally flexible. i y y 6. In a friction 'shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a follower-acting member having an open ended casing at one end thereof; of a plurality of relatively stationary friction plates anchored within saidy casing against longitudinal movement but freely responsive to lateral pressure; a plurality of alternated friction plates movable longitudinally of the casing, said'stationary and movable friction plates constitotingd a singley cent-rally disposed group; a .spring resistance; and means for creating lateral pressure from opposite sides 1n-y Wardly of said group of plates including, an outer follower having inwardly exten ing wedges on opposite sides of the group' of 'plates with the wedge surfaces thereof f i facing the plates, an anti-friction 'roller intcrposed between each said wedge surface and adjacent friction plate, and a longitudi-l nallymmoval'ile bearing member engaging the inner side ofeach of said rollers. l

7. In a' friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a follower-acting member having an open ended casing at one end thereof; of a plurality of relatively stationary friction plates anchored within said casing against longitudinal movement but. freely responsive vto lateral pressure; a.

plurality of alternatedfriction plates movable longitudinally of the casing,'said stationary and movable. friction platesconsti-v y tuting a single centrally disposed group; a

J l spring resistance;l and means for creating lateral pressure from opposite sides inwardly of said group of plates including, au outer follower having inwardly extending wedges on opposite sides of the group of` plates with the .wedge surfaces thereof facing the plates, an anti-friction roller interposed between each said wedge surface and adjacent friction plate, and a longitudinally movable bearing member engaging the inner side of'each ofsaid rollers; said bearing members being each laterally movable at the end engaging thearoller.

8 In a friction ,shock absorbing` mechanism, the combination with a follower-acting member having an open ended casing at one end thereof; of a plurality of relatively stationary friction plates anchored within said casingy against longitudinal movement 4but freely responsive to lateral pressure; a

plurality of alternated friction plates movable longitudinallyr of the casing, said stationary and movable friction plates constituting a single centrally disposed group; 'a spring resistance; and means for. creating lateral pressure from opposite -sides in- Wardly of said group of plates including, an outer follower having a pair of intevgrallylformed inwardly extending wedges disposed on opposite'sides of the group of plates, the wedge surfaces thereof facing the' plates, an anti-frictionroller interposed between each wedge surface and the adjacent friction plate and a longitudinally movable laterally flexible bearing member on each side of the group of plates, each side bearing member having engagement with aroller. 4 f

".9. In a friction shock absorbing mechanism, the combination with a'follower-act-- ing member having 4 an openended casing at one endlthereof; of a vplurality of relatively stationary friction plates anchored 4witlin said casing against longitudinal movement but freely .responsive to lateral pressure; a plurality of alternated friction plates movable longitudinally of the casing, said stationary and movable friction plates constituting -a single centrally' disposed group; a spring resistance; and means for creating lateral pressure from opposite'sides inwardly of said group of plates includingl an outer follower having a pair of inwardly extending wedges located on opposite sides of the group of plates and with the wedge surfaces thereoffacing the plates, a spring follower interposed between the spring resistance and the inner ends of the plates, said spring follower having forward extenable longitudinally of the casing, said stationary and movable friction plates constituting a single centrally disposed group; a spring resistance;and means for creating Ilateral pressure from opposite sidesy inwardly of said grou of plates including, an outer follower having a pair of inwardly .75 sions straddling the group of plates, and an extending wedges locatedv on opposite sides 'y ofthe group of plates and with the wedge surfaces thereof facing the plates, a spring follower interposed between the spring' resistance and inner ends of the plates, said spring follower having forward extensions straddling the group offplates, and an antifriction roller on each side ofthe group of plates having bearing. engagement with a, wedge surface, a plate and outer end of one laterally flexible.

of'is'aid extensions,jsaid extensions being In witness that ,I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed myname this 25th dayof May 1921. p y

JOHN F. OCONNOR.

Witness: y CARRIE GAILING. 

